Lautaro Martinez rates Harry Kane ahead of Haaland and Osimhen as world’s best striker in 2026

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has named Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane as the world’s best striker in 2026, placing the England international above Erling Haaland and Victor Osimhen in his personal ranking.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Argentine forward was direct when asked for his assessment. “Harry Kane,” Martinez said. “I put him ahead of Haaland for the way he controls the ball, links up and reads the game, and also his headers. He’s a phenomenon.”

Martinez’s praise comes on the back of an exceptional season for the 32-year-old Kane, who has scored 58 goals across all competitions for Bayern Munich — a return that has earned him yet another Golden Boot award. The England captain also guided Vincent Kompany’s side to the Bundesliga title, adding to a growing list of individual and collective honours accumulated since his move to Germany.

Kane’s record at Bayern continues to cement his status among European football’s elite. Across his career, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker has registered 517 goals and 121 assists in 758 appearances, while his individual accolades include multiple Bundesliga top scorer titles, the Bundesliga Player of the Season award, the Gerd Müller Trophy, and the World Cup Golden Boot — honours that have historically been underappreciated given England’s prolonged wait for major silverware.

Beyond the league title, Kane and Bayern are set to contest the DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart on Saturday, with the club eyeing a domestic double. A trophy of that nature would further bolster Kane’s standing ahead of what is expected to be a keenly contested 2026 Ballon d’Or race.

However, Bayern’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League remains a potential obstacle in Kane’s Ballon d’Or bid. Historically, success in Europe’s premier club competition has carried significant weight with voters, and the absence of a deep Champions League run could count against him when the award is decided later this year.

Kane’s prospects may yet be enhanced by his performances on the international stage. The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a significant opportunity for the England skipper to make a decisive case for the award. Should Kane perform at the highest level in the tournament, he could become England’s first Ballon d’Or winner since Michael Owen claimed the honour in 2001 — a gap of 25 years.

Martinez’s comments add notable weight to the conversation around Kane’s standing in world football. As one of the game’s most prolific strikers himself, the Inter captain’s endorsement carries credibility beyond that of a casual observer, and his preference for Kane over Haaland — widely regarded as the most dominant forward of the current generation — reflects the breadth of Kane’s all-round contribution to the game.